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RESEARCH PAPERS AND SPECIAL PROJECTS
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Dimensional Artifacts Biology Collections Natural history collection storage is steeped in tradition, with change coming very slowly. At the Royal British Columbia Museum a recent opportunity enabled staff to upgrade storage throughout the collection. Through careful planning and diligent work much of the storage has been greatly improved, access to the collection has been made easy and longevity of artifacts is ensured. Our goals in this project were to improved access to the collection, to protect artifacts from light, sudden humidity changes and earthquake movement, to reduce handling of specimens, to encourage the use of inert storage materials, and to employ passive pest control. The following examples show some of the methods Biology Collections used to reach these goals. Mammalogy and Ornithology Skeletal Mammal and Egg Collections During the project, specimens in the horn and antler collection needed to be moved frequently. To accommodate this, we created temporary storage by modifying serval large hotel linen carts purchased from a restaurant supply company. These carts have stainless steel racks of several sizes, which we configured to create a centre wall. The carts hold the specimens securely and make them easily accessible; the four posts offer collision protection. The centre wall is lined with a 1/4 inch Ethafoam sheet to cushion the specimens. As permanent storage is constructed the carts will be re-assembled and used as collection trolleys. For long term upgrading, the small mammal skeletons and egg collections are transferred from cardboard to clear polystyrene boxes. The eggs are cushioned in spun polyester batting and Ethafoam sheets are used for small mammal bones. Clear plastic boxes and white packing materials make identification, surveys and infestation spot checks easy. The large mammal skeletons are packed in clear polyethylene plastic bags with the catalogue information visible from the outside. Bagged specimens are arranged in steel drawers covered with Ethafoam and divided by walls made of Coroplast. The drawers fit into steel cabinets with gasket-lined doors; the cabinets are mounted on high-density mobile storage bases. Some specimens have a label on the outside of the bag indicating that the contents have been frozen as an insect control measure and the date that this action was taken. These labels are good indicators of problem areas.
Botany Dry Mounted Herbarium Specimens The mounting paper for specimens was upgraded to a 100% acid-free stock. The Genus covers that hold mounted specimens are manilla acid-free paper stock. Genus covers are grouped and packed in polyethylene bags, isolating the specimens in the event of an infestation. They are stored on shelves in steel herbarium cabinets with gasket-lined locking doors. To make the best use of space the cabinets are mounted on compactor storage bases. Acid-free materials reduce specimen deterioration, while the plastic bags and gasket-lined doors localize infestations.
Invertebrates and Ichthyology Wet Collections .The upgrading began with transfer of specimens to standardized glass jars. The jars are fitted with new lids and polyethylene gaskets, inside each is a bleed-proof computer-generated label. The jars are stored in polypropylene tubs custom-made in several sizes, with handle holds and the museum's name embossed on one side. The tubs facilitate removal of specimens to a work place. They are fitted with slotted polypropylene dividers to reduce movement and collisions; but if a jar should break, the tub will contain its contents and prevent excessive damage. The wet collections in the tubs are stored on steel and wooden shelves that are mounted on compactor storage bases.
Entomology Dragonfly Collection The drawers are fitted with glass tops; each drawer slides into tall steel cabinets with gasket-lined doors. The barriers between specimens, drawers and cabinets will minimize and contain infestations. The steel cabinets are mounted on compactor storage bases to make the best use of space. The wet dragonfly collection is upgraded with the employment of uniform-style glass bottles with polyethylene cone gaskets or neoprene stoppers. |
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Standardization
and development of new ideas from staff have reshaped the storage of the
wet collections.
New ideas, materials and systems were combined to upgrade the storage
of the dragonfly collection. Mylar envelopes were designed to hold the
specimens. Each envelope contains a dragonfly and an acid-free card showing
the specimen's catalogue information. The envelopes stand in cardboard
boxes, several to a drawer. The boxes can be used to take specimens to
a work station, providing proper support and limiting handling.
